I don't know why others have trouble understanding this passage; is the thought worse than the deed of adultery? It seems plain enough to me. However, not being a man, it's easy to dismiss this as not having any application to me.

Just a minute! Let's examine it for a principle, for we know that a principle applies across the line to other situations. Here it is shown in context with sexual desire and the breaking of a commandment. What if it applies in all our secret intentions?

Jesus told His followers, "You have heard that it was said, 'Do not commit adultery.' But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart."

Jesus is reminding His hearers that we're used to seeing judgment on those who do the sinful deed. He adds another dimension. He says those who just look with their eyes and desire in their hearts to do the adultery have as good as committed it.

He judges us by our intentions. All our intentions? Even our motives for doing good can be bad? Whoa!

Well, I can relax actually, because most of my intentions are quite good and noble. Okay, there's a couple of little things I have trouble with... Are you thinking along these lines with me?

In the next two verses Jesus draws the lines even sharper; we're to deal with the root cause of our sins.

"If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for your to lose one part of your body than for your whoele body to be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away." Matthew 6:29-30.

I don't know about you, but there are times when I'm so fed up and sick and tired of my sinful habits, that I would like some drastic measures to be rid of them. Let's agree with Jesus that there is a problem in our motives, and be open to His direct answer, although it may sound gruesome.

Are you ready to gouge out something, or cut it off so it can no longer tempt us to sin? Oh No! Are we ready to be that drastic? If you are, let's pray.